Reba’s ready for the ACMs: How “CMA Country Christmas” and “Kennedy Center Honors” helped her prepare

Big Machine

Reba McEntire is set to host the Academy of Country Music Awards for the sixteenth time Sunday.

It’s been a busy year for the Country Music Hall of Famer, between hosting the annual Country Music Association holiday special and being honored by the Kennedy Center as well. But Reba says all that actually made getting ready for the ACMs easier.

“I have to find the clothes,” she explains, “which I’ve gotten already, because we had the Kennedy Center Honors, we had the CMA Country Christmas, and then we’ve got to get ready for the ACMs.”

“So I was looking at dresses,” Reba continues, “and I’d say, ‘Oh, I’m gonna hold this one for the ACMs,’ and ‘Oh, this is for the Kennedy Center.’ So I’ve got that part ready.”

In the days leading up to Sunday’s show at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Reba’s focus will be on the script.

“Now we’re working on the writing,” she says. “We’ve already gone through one draft already of all the monologue and the jokes and things. So, we’re rolling right along. It’s gonna be smooth.”

Reba will also perform her new single, “Freedom,” on the 54th ACM Awards, from her new album, Stronger Than the Truth, which comes out on Friday.

You can tune in to watch Sunday starting at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.